Top Tourism Town Awards

The Queensland Tourism Industry Council is excited to present a new Tourism Award Program in 2021 to recognise Queensland’s diverse and outstanding regional destinations.
 

QTIC’s Top Tourism Town Awards aim to recognise and reward towns: 

• that offer an amazing visitor experience  

• where tourism operators, businesses and the local community work together to make their town the best destination it can be  

• who demonstrate a strong commitment and encourage tourism and increased visitation   
   

There are two Awards in the 2021 Program: 

1. Top Tourism Town Award – those with a population over 5,000  

2. Small Tourism Town Award – those with a population below 5,000 

Nationally, in 2021 the Top Tourism Town program is being introduced in each state and territory as part of the Australian Tourism Awards series. 

State winners will have the opportunity to represent Queensland at the National Awards and be named Australia’s Top Tourism Town!  

Our towns support local businesses and local jobs, and keep our regional communities thriving. The QTIC Top Tourism Towns is an opportunity for Regional Tourism Organisations,  Local Tourism Organisations, and Councils in conjunction with their accredited Visitor Information Centre to showcase their local town as great visitor destinations, be recognised, and raise awareness of what’s special and unique about their part of Queensland! 

Who can Nominate?

Nominations will be accepted by an accredited Visitor Information Centre.  Visitor Information Centres are encouraged to work with their Regional Tourism Organisation, Local Tourism Organisation, Council or committed group of local operators.  

How to Enter

Please ensure you read the Top Tourism Town overview here.
Nominations will open on 19th January via online.qualitytourismaustralia.com
*Top Tourism Town was held in Tasmania in 2020, view sample winning Top Tourism Town submission here.

Prizes:

Top Tourism Town Award winner will receive: 

$25,000 Strategic Consulting and Capacity Building package provided by EarthCheck 

• $10,000 towards destination management, capacity building and programs delivered by EarthCheck's CEO and Founder. This includes facilitation of a workshop for Councilors and staff on destination stewardship and responsible tourism.

• $15,000, to cover the cost for 12 months membership to EarthCheck’s Sustainable Destination Program including the appointment of a dedicated Relationship Manager for Council.

• Access to the Leading Destinations of the World program.

• Access to the resources of the EarthCheck Research Institute.

• Carbon and Net Zero Reporting

• Click here for further details about EarthCheck and the prize
  
  

• Electronic logo 

• Town signage artwork 

• Top Tourism Town Trophy 

• Recognition and promotion as Queensland’s Top Tourism Town 

• The opportunity to represent Queensland at the National Awards and be named Australia’s Top Tourism Town 

Top Small Tourism Town Award Winner will receive: 

• $7,500 Tourism Consultancy and Development Package provided by The Tourism Group 

  • One of The Tourism Group’s experienced consultants will visit your town to meet with Council and Tourism representatives to evaluate and determine opportunities to leverage the benefits of the Award, specifically in the area of Visitor Services and Customer Experience. Click here for further details about The Tourism Group.

• Electronic logo 

• Town signage artwork 

• Top Small Tourism Town Trophy 

• Recognition and promotion as Queensland’s Top Small Tourism Town 

• The opportunity to represent Queensland at the National Awards and be named Australia’s Top Small Tourism Town 

Judging and Public Vote
 

An expert panel of 3 Judges review the town written submission and score individually.  All entrants that reach a score of 75% from the Judges will be deemed a finalist and proceed to the consumer / public voting component of the award process.

Please click HERE to go to the Public Voting Page to vote for your favourite Top Tourism Town and Top Small Tourism Town.  Voting is open from 11 April to 26 April 2021.

The total score for the town is made up of:

• 30% score determined by panel of industry Judges and
• 70% score determined by public consumer vote

The Judges will combine the written score with the consumer voted score to determine the winner of each category.

Key Dates:  

Nominations Open  Nominations open (expression of intent to enter), via the Awards portal online.qualitytourismaustralia.com	19 January 2021
Nominations Close  Nomination forms must be completed by 5pm, 23 February, 2021	23 February 2021
Submissions Due  Submissions including Editorial Article, Itinerary and Video can be received and uploaded any time up to 5pm, 30 March 2021. An expert panel of experienced tourism professionals will review and score each entry.	30 March 2021
Consumer / Public Voting Period  All entrants that reach a score of 75% from the judges will be deemed a finalist and proceed to the public voting component of the awards process.	11 April to 26 April 2021
Queensland Winners Announced  Queensland’s Top Tourism Town and Top Small Tourism Town will be announced May 2021 (date and details to be determined)	May 2021

Click here for the TOP TOURISM TOWN promotional flyer 

 

SPONSORS

QTIC acknowledges and thanks the following partners for their support.